The Allawah Story — Its History

In 1996 a 150 acre parcel of virgin eucalypt woodland, located on an eastern facing mountain range near Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands was purchased to create Allawah. The land offered spectacular views, which was considered a perfect location to establish a luxury retreat.

The topography consisted of flat paddocks, granite ridges and deep gullies,
which provided habitat and environment to support a wide variety of
native flora and fauna. Its elevation of 800 metres (2500 feet) ensures
a congenial elevated tropical climate free from the extremes of climate
irregularities.

Then followed the process of gaining numerous approvals for the land
to be rezoned to “Tourism Special Facilities”. A business plan was developed
with the construction planned over 3 stages of development with approval
for 10 luxury self- contained lodges for couples.
The naming of Allawah Retreat followed, the name meaning aboriginal
for “Sit down, stay here and rest a while”, considered appropriate for the
nature of the retreat to be developed.
Another year was dedicated to the construction of access roads, sinking
bores for water, building tanks on sight to store rain water, providing
power to the property and the planting of hundreds of native trees.

The overall emphasis of the development was to maximize the unique features
of solitude and seclusion in an unspoilt natural environment, while
offering all the features expected of luxury retreat accommodation.

The retreat began operation in November 2000 with just Honeygem spa
lodge.

In 2001 the Moonlight spa lodge was completed, followed by Treetops spa lodge in 2003. Hideway spa lodge was completed in 2006.

Allawah Retreat has won Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s tourism award for “Hosted Accommodation”, and the retreat has also been the winner of the HMAA tourism award for “Retreat Accommodation” as well as being a HMAA Finalist in the “Conservation & Eco Tourism” section.